Next up for review is the Smith and Wesson Model 617. Model 617 | Smith & Wesson (smith-wesson.com). The one I have is the older 6 round model and I do not believe they make it anymore? Now many of you that know me understand that I prefer carbon steel guns but this little stainless beauty is one of my favorites.
Two of us met at the chilly range today to give these guns a little workout. It helped when we turned on our portable heater. My buddy has the newer 10 shot model. I have not yet upgraded to the high capacity revolver. We shot the Wilson 5x5 and even though it is rated for centerfire guns, it is a blast to shoot with .22’s. I use the 5x5 for student evals and to measure their progress. He cleaned my clock twice by over 5 points. I did notice however, he fired single action at the head which is an option for double action revolvers.
One thing I like about the .22 revolver is, that it will shoot all kinds of rimfire. .22CB, Shorts, Long’s, and Long Rifle. I grew up quick drawing and shooting rats in the City Dump in Rochester and mice around the grain bins on the farm. The shorts were by far my favorite for the mice but I have to admit, the HV LR were needed for rats as some of them were bigger than the cats.
A few things different about the 10 shot over the 6 shot model concern me. First, for my liking, the revolver should only be 5 or 6 shots. The included pics show the reduced material around the extractor star. When you have to fit ten notches for the rachet hand, they end up being a lot smaller (delicate) than the six shot configuration. Also the thickness of the extractor is somewhat thinner for the higher capacity cylinder. I also like the extra metal around the charge holes when it is drilled for 6 instead of 10. For field work and SCSA Welcome to SCSA - Steel Challenge , only having 6 shots works for me. Since there are only 5 targets in a string in SCSA, like bowling pins, if you have to fire more than 6, you are out of the running anyway. That’s just me and how I roll.
While my buddy was sleeping as I got to the range first, I went ahead and did my 7yrd 6 inch paper plate drill. The target is set at 7yrds, (defensive distance) and on signal, present and shoot one plate with six rounds. Repeat 3 more times. Of course, my presentation started from a leather holster and hands shoulder high. I had very consistent runs and of course, no misfires and such. The first shot hovered around 1.65.
This model, built around the model 17, (watch for review on this classic) includes a full underlug under the barrel. Now I have had this model in 6 inch before but found the balance to be out of whack in this configuration because of the full underlug. I shoot it 98 percent of the time double action but every once in awhile take a single action shot. Just because I can.
This 617 has the smoothest action of all my revolvers. Of course, the front of the cylinder has been beveled for looks and ease of re-holstering. It may have nothing to do with it, but I find the exterior of the cylinder blow back area easier to clean as well. The single action breaks at about 2 ½ pounds and the DA mode takes 8 lbs of energy. I could go a little lighter but reliability on various .22’s is important. Back in the day, the Jerry Kuhnhausen Heritage Gun Books - Gunsmithing, Repair and Maintenance Manuals book helped me a lot with revolver smithing.
The all steel Patridge style front sight is pinned and is just perfect for being durable and easy to pick up. I just love the original font that Smith stamped into their guns before they went to the new larger font. Just me. Of course as all my revolvers, I have the wide target hammer and trigger on this revolver.
I may put on a 10shot 617 one of these days but for now this little 4 inch suits me just fine. After all, the dialogue isn’t..”in all this excitement, I can’t remember if I fired 9 or 10, well do ya feel …?”
Watch for more reviews, they have been fun and thanks for all the kind words and I will keep them coming. Everyday is an opportunity to enjoy guns in some way or other.
Good Shooting!!
Two of us met at the chilly range today to give these guns a little workout. It helped when we turned on our portable heater. My buddy has the newer 10 shot model. I have not yet upgraded to the high capacity revolver. We shot the Wilson 5x5 and even though it is rated for centerfire guns, it is a blast to shoot with .22’s. I use the 5x5 for student evals and to measure their progress. He cleaned my clock twice by over 5 points. I did notice however, he fired single action at the head which is an option for double action revolvers.
One thing I like about the .22 revolver is, that it will shoot all kinds of rimfire. .22CB, Shorts, Long’s, and Long Rifle. I grew up quick drawing and shooting rats in the City Dump in Rochester and mice around the grain bins on the farm. The shorts were by far my favorite for the mice but I have to admit, the HV LR were needed for rats as some of them were bigger than the cats.
A few things different about the 10 shot over the 6 shot model concern me. First, for my liking, the revolver should only be 5 or 6 shots. The included pics show the reduced material around the extractor star. When you have to fit ten notches for the rachet hand, they end up being a lot smaller (delicate) than the six shot configuration. Also the thickness of the extractor is somewhat thinner for the higher capacity cylinder. I also like the extra metal around the charge holes when it is drilled for 6 instead of 10. For field work and SCSA Welcome to SCSA - Steel Challenge , only having 6 shots works for me. Since there are only 5 targets in a string in SCSA, like bowling pins, if you have to fire more than 6, you are out of the running anyway. That’s just me and how I roll.
While my buddy was sleeping as I got to the range first, I went ahead and did my 7yrd 6 inch paper plate drill. The target is set at 7yrds, (defensive distance) and on signal, present and shoot one plate with six rounds. Repeat 3 more times. Of course, my presentation started from a leather holster and hands shoulder high. I had very consistent runs and of course, no misfires and such. The first shot hovered around 1.65.
This model, built around the model 17, (watch for review on this classic) includes a full underlug under the barrel. Now I have had this model in 6 inch before but found the balance to be out of whack in this configuration because of the full underlug. I shoot it 98 percent of the time double action but every once in awhile take a single action shot. Just because I can.
This 617 has the smoothest action of all my revolvers. Of course, the front of the cylinder has been beveled for looks and ease of re-holstering. It may have nothing to do with it, but I find the exterior of the cylinder blow back area easier to clean as well. The single action breaks at about 2 ½ pounds and the DA mode takes 8 lbs of energy. I could go a little lighter but reliability on various .22’s is important. Back in the day, the Jerry Kuhnhausen Heritage Gun Books - Gunsmithing, Repair and Maintenance Manuals book helped me a lot with revolver smithing.
The all steel Patridge style front sight is pinned and is just perfect for being durable and easy to pick up. I just love the original font that Smith stamped into their guns before they went to the new larger font. Just me. Of course as all my revolvers, I have the wide target hammer and trigger on this revolver.
I may put on a 10shot 617 one of these days but for now this little 4 inch suits me just fine. After all, the dialogue isn’t..”in all this excitement, I can’t remember if I fired 9 or 10, well do ya feel …?”
Watch for more reviews, they have been fun and thanks for all the kind words and I will keep them coming. Everyday is an opportunity to enjoy guns in some way or other.
Good Shooting!!
